"APRIL SHOWERS BRING MAY FLOWERS"

This rainy season, don’t just sit there and wish for sunny days... prepare for them and get your windows weather-ready.

Weatherproofing Windows

If you live in a drafty house and want to reduce your heating costs (and help reduce your carbon footprint!), consider insulating with clear plastic window covers. They"re easy to install either outside or inside the windows. For outside seals, simply nail the cover over the window to create dead air insulating space. For indoor, tape down the edges and blow a hair dryer over the plastic to shrink and seal it over the window. This is a one-shot solution - if you loosen the tape, you have to start all over - so only use on windows you do not open.

Warm-Climate Window Tips

In the summertime, the sun shining through your windows heats up the house. Windows with spectrally selective coatings on the glass reflect some of the sunlight, keeping your rooms cooler. 

Here are some more tips for limiting the sun"s heat indoors:

* Install white window shades, drapes, or blinds to reflect heat away from the house.

* Close curtains on south and west facing windows during the day.

* Install awnings on south and west facing windows.

* Apply sun-control or other reflective films on south facing windows to reduce solar gain.

Tips on Opening a Stuck Window

As minor household annoyances go, few raise the blood pressure as fast as a window that"s been painted shut, especially if it"s a hot summer day. Once your back spasms from trying to muscle it open subside, try this simple solution: Take a sharp blade (such as a utility knife, spackling blade or large X-acto knife) and trace along the edge of the frame to crack the bond. Still stuck? Take a two by-four piece of wood, lay it flat against the frame, and tap it with a hammer to undo the paint seal. You may have to touch up the paint job; if so, open the window a few times while the paint dries.

More Caulk Talk

Most houses have enough air leaks in them that the energy lost is equivalent to leaving a 2-square foot window open all winter long. Obviously, caulking offers a great opportunity to close that "window" and save a lot of money on your heating and air-conditioning bills. A great place to start is on all of your existing windows and doors. All you need is a caulking gun and a few cartridges of high-quality caulk, and you can make your home cooler in the summer, warmer in the winter and more resistant to moisture and bugs all year long.

Foam: Room for Expansion

You may decide that you want to fill the large voids between the window frames and the framing of the stud walls (covered by the window trim boards). This is usually a very good idea. However, be careful to not use highly expanding foams that can actually put so much pressure on the window frames - as the foam expands - that they can be bowed inward, obstructing the free travel of the movable portions of the window.

IDENTIFYING COMMON HOUSEHOLD WATER LEAKS

Have your water bills gone up? Do you suspect a leak may have sprung somewhere in your home? 

Here’s how to identify one of the usual culprits.

Did you know it’s not uncommon for more than 20% of homes to have one unidentified water leak? Sometimes these leaks go on for years, completely unnoticed because home owners inherit small leaks, assuming their water bill is normal. 

Other times, small water leaks are overlooked because owners assume the overall impact to their utilities is relatively small. But the truth is small leaks can add up hugely over time. Periodic inspection for leaks can help plug this problem at the source. Here are some ways to identify and address typical leaks:

1. Track your water bill over time. Most water bills will show your history for several months, if not year-over-year. While there are seasonal reasons for higher water use, especially if you water a lawn or garden, look for unexpected spikes. Yes, something as seemingly innocuous as a running toilet can turn into a big contributor, especially if it’s running 24/7. If the bill spikes, start hunting.

2. Listen for the running toilet. You may be so used to hearing a toilet run that it has virtually faded into the background. On the other hand, you may have a running toilet in a guest bathroom you scarcely use. Flush the toilet and time how long it takes to stop. If you find it running for minutes on end, you may have a problem. Open the toilet tank and take a look inside. If the water level is too high (more than 1-inch above the overflow tube), or the flapper isn’t getting a good seal, a repair is in order. You can also test for slow leaks into the bowl by dropping some food coloring into the tank. Drop it in and wait 15 - 20 minutes without flushing. If the color appears in the bowl, you have an issue.

3. Inspect shower heads and faucets. Sometimes the connection to the shower head will send water spraying in unintentional directions, contributing to an overall loss of water. You may need to replace the O-ring, soak the head in vinegar to remove minerals, or simply replace the head completely. With faucets, it’s important to look at the source pipes, sometimes they may only leak when the water is running. Look for dampness in those darkened places. Plugging these leaks can also prevent mold buildup.

4. Tune-up your irrigation system. Irrigation systems which haven’t aged well or have been damaged by lawn maintenance can be the most insidious leaks of all. Busted sprinkler heads or constantly leaking supply lines can sap your systems efficiency and boost the bill. When the system is running, look for spraying valves and find ways to eliminate overspray onto concrete. A rain sensor is also a great way to make sure you’re not watering your lawn while it’s raining.

Fixing leaks is a must-do before you list your home. But when you’re ready to list, give your local real estate professional a call!

BREATHING EASIER IN YOUR HOME

One way to keep yourself and your home healthier is by staying on top of simple heating and air conditioning maintenance. Here are some tips for making sure your home’s air quality high.

Maintaining indoor air quality is an extremely important but often overlooked component of a living happily in your home. By and large it’s an invisible problem, but the costs can really add up— from high energy bills to creeping health issues.

Many homes have become so energy efficient that they’re also good at trapping dust and other pollutants. Appropriate ventilation is an important aspect of indoor air quality. This includes venting bathrooms, kitchens, and fireplaces directly outside. It’s also vital to try and store industrial chemicals such as pesticides, paints, and harsh cleaners outside of the habitable areas of the home. 

Alarms are also a useful way to keep an eye on what you’re breathing. Smoke alarms are a must for home safety, but carbon monoxide alarms are also key to keeping a silent killer at bay. Finally, periodic radon testing is a good idea. Radon, a radioactive gas, is odorless, colorless, and tasteless. It is a known contributor to lung cancer. You can only know how much is in your home by testing. 

Of course, one of the most neglected home maintenance chores is regular replacement of air filters. This is surprising, given that changing the filters is typically among the easiest tasks a homeowner can do. What’s more, the simple act of replacing filters increases HVAC efficiency, extends the life of your heating and cooling system, and also lowers energy bills.

The problem’s not the complexity of the task, it’s often remembering to do it. One company hopes to solve this problem and save homeowners time and money. FilterEasy delivers air filters when it’s time to change them. The process is pretty straightforward: First, you select the number of filters for your home. Next, you compile the sizes and choose your filter “grade,” either light allergen, micro allergen, or super allergen. 

You can check FilterEasy out online:

https://www.filtereasy.com/

If you’d like to breathe a little easier in your home, follow up with these minor home maintenance tasks and inexpensive tools. High air quality is also an excellent selling quality for you home! If you’re thinking about listing soon, get in touch a real estate professional today!

HOW TO WOO SELLERS WITH A PERSONALIZED OFFER

In highly competitive markets where bidding wars are common, sellers can often be encouraged to go with a buyer who puts a human face on the transaction. Here’s how to sway those sellers with personal touches.

If you’re home hunting in a competitive market, you’ve probably had the heartbreaking experience of losing out on a place you thought you would make your own. It can be frustrating and demoralizing to find out your offer was rejected in favor of another buyer. How can you do your best to make sure it doesn’t happen again?

When a seller entertains multiple offers, it’s important to understand that many different factors are in play. If you’re an all-cash buyer you tend to have an advantage, as potential financing roadblocks are taken off the table. But if you’re like most people, paying cash for a house simply isn’t an option. What then?

First and foremost, make sure you have 100% of your financial house in order. This means pre-qualification for a mortgage as well as proof of funds. Being organized and ready to go will help give you a small edge from the start. Also, be sure you work with an agent who is highly responsive to requests. Sellers don’t need to wait around for information when multiple offers are landing in their inbox.

Beyond these factors, there’s another way to boost your offer’s profile: Personalize it.

While most sellers want to go with someone who will pay the most for their home, you should never discount the emotional dynamic to the home selling and buying experience. Though sellers are ready to move on, they often want to feel as though their home is going to someone who genuinely appreciates it and needs it. Here’s how to make your offer personal:

1. Work with your agent to craft a personal letter as to why you love the seller’s home. What features do you love? How will this home help you personally, professionally, or with your family needs?

2. Include a photo of yourself and/or your family. Putting a human face on the offer can transform your offer from one more name in a pile of numbers into a genuine person worthy of living in the seller’s home. Have pets and kids? Bring them into the picture!

3. Have your agent personally deliver the offer. A lot of offers are going to be electronically transferred, dumped into a crowded email inbox. While an electronic offer can be convenient, delivering a beautifully prepared package complete with the personalized letter and picture makes an impact.

Want an agent who will go the extra mile to make your offer stand out? Contact a real estate professional today!

FIVE HIDDEN RENOVATION COSTS

Renovations never seem to go as planned. There's always a cost you didn't anticipate, or a problem that didn't reveal itself until the project was underway. 

Here are five common costs to look out for.

 1. Higher utility bills: If contractors and builders are working in your home all day, there's a good chance they're constantly walking in and out the exterior doors. That wreaks havoc on your heating/cooling efficiency, so watch out for higher utility bills.

 2. Movers: It's pretty hard to renovate a fully furnished home. You may be able to move and store most of your furniture yourself, but homeowners often have bigger pieces that require some hired help.

 3. Food: If your kitchen is being torn apart, preparing meals becomes a lot more difficult. You may be able to keep your food budget steady by switching to meals that don't require counter space, the stove, or the oven, but don't be surprised if you end up dining out more often.

 4. A few nights in a hotel: Depending on your renovation, there may be some nights where sleeping in your home isn't practical, or you just need a mental break from the mess. Budget for a few nights at a hotel ... or just schedule your family vacation for the worst part of the renovation.

 5. Deep cleaning: It's one thing to clean and maintain your home after a typical week or two of living. It's entirely different to clean up after a construction project, as sawdust and other debris can get in every nook and cranny. It may be worth your sanity to just hire cleaners.

SELLING YOUR HOME TO BABY BOOMERS

Is it time for you to move to a bigger home? Well, good news: Baby Boomers are often looking for smaller homes with features to make living more comfortable as they age. 

Here are some tips for marketing your listing to Boomer generation buyers.

Baby Boomers all over are downsizing to properties where they can age in place. Often these buyers are well-qualified, meaning they have no problem getting a mortgage or they may not even need one. (An all-cash buyer can truly speed along the closing process!) 

So how do you make your listing more appealing to Boomer buyers? Here are some tips for giving your home an edge:

1. Market the low-maintenance aspects of your home. Small yard? No yard? Stain-resistant countertops (like quartz)? The last thing your Boomer buyers want are long weekend to-do lists full of maintenance chores they would rather not hassle with or pay someone else to do. If there’s any way you can make your home easier to maintain, consider doing it as part of your curb appeal tune-up. 

2. Lighten it up and brighten it up. It’s a fact of life: The older you get, the more you need brighter lights to see clearly. This might mean adding lighting in places where you seldom think about it, such as cabinets and large drawers.

3. Be accessible, but not clinical. There are subtle ways to make your home more friendly to those with mobility issues. Removing thresholds, adding easy-pull drawers, and upgrading door handles are just a few ways. But whatever you do, don’t make the rooms look like nursing homes. There are tasteful design decisions you can make when embracing universal access.

4. Look for “single-level living.” Is there a way to present your house so the ground floor contains everything the buyers could possibly need to live there? While stairs aren’t necessarily a deal-breaker, consider how often your Boomer buyers will need to use them. If you can pitch the second floor as guest space, and prove they can get along on one floor, don’t miss the opportunity to point this out.

Your home may be perfectly suitable for first-time buyers or small families, but don’t neglect ways to help market your property to other segments like Boomer buyers.

Is your home Boomer-friendly? 

Get in touch and let’s connect you to well-qualified buyers: www.valeriemcconville.com

BUYERS BEWARE OF THESE EARNEST MONEY MISTAKES

Including earnest money with your offer? Be careful about how you proceed. 

There are mistakes you won’t want to make when it comes to betting part of your bankroll that everything will go as planned.

Earnest money is a great way to show a seller you’re serious about the offer you’re making on their home. 

By placing a portion of what amounts to your down payment on the table to demonstrate your commitment to follow-through on the contract, you’re saying “I love this home and I’m ready to go.” But there’s a real risk involved: If you make a mistake, you might just be out a chunk of cash.

Here are some ways to avoid burning your home-buying bankroll in lost earnest money:

1. Make sure it’s the home you really want. Seem obvious? Sure. But it’s easy to get swept up in the moment. Recognize that you’re about to enter into a legally binding contract and that the money you’re risking will hurt if you change your mind. While you may not be able to drag your feet on the decision, check your gut to see if there are any reservations lurking there before you go all in.

2. Don’t sacrifice contract contingencies. Don’t let your desire for a home cause you to blindly remove contingencies which are built into contracts to protect buyers. Common ones include loan contingencies, title search issues, appraisal, and insurance obstacles. Waive these at your own peril. 

3. Avoid committing to a home “as is.” If you’re putting earnest money on an offer for a foreclosed home, don’t be too eager to accept any problem the home may have. Take the time to understand the home’s issues before you write the offer.

4. Read the contract timelines. Look at closing dates and other dates related to the process leading up to closing. Violating the timeline could cost you your earnest money as well.

5. Ensure you have recourse to get some or all of your earnest money back. If the sale doesn’t gel, you and the buyer will need to sign a document voiding the agreement. Don’t sign this until you understand how it will impact your earnest money refund. The seller’s title can be negatively impacted if you don’t sign off, so keep your leverage handy until you’re sure you’ve been fairly treated.

Protect yourself and your down payment by playing smart with your earnest money. If you have questions or concerns, ask your agent to help you understand everything in plain language!

Ready to buy? Let me help you find the right home and protect your interests along the way: www.valeriemcconville.com